Watkins was sentenced to 29 years in jail, plus six years on license for a string of child sex offenses. According to the BBC, the appeal judges in Cardiff stated that the offenses were "of such shocking depravity that they demanded a lengthy prison sentence."

The musician was not in court, but his legal representative argued that the sentence was "too high in the circumstances," and added that his guilty plea, which kept disturbing evidence from being shown in court, deserved consideration for a greater reduction.

One of the women convicted along with Watkins was denied in her appeal to reduce a 17-year prison sentence as well. A second woman involved in the case did not file for an appeal of her 14-year sentence.

In related news, an inquiry is being held as to whether the singer's celebrity status prevented him from being brought to justice sooner. The Independent Police Complains Commission has served gross misconduct notices on seven police officers as part of the investigations into the handling of the allegations against Watkins.